Many Catholics devoted to Mary and the rosary know the importance of May 13. It’s the anniversary of the Blessed Mother’s appearance to three children in Fatima, Portugal, in 2017.
But, there’s a part of this story that served as a prelude to Our Lady’s six appearances from May through October of that year.
Barb Ernster
Barb Ernster talked about this and other details concerning Fatima and its relevance today for Catholics and everyone during a conversation with Patrick Conley on a “Practicing Catholic” show that debuts 9 p.m. May 13 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Ernster is president of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Division of the World Apostolate of Fatima.
“Many people don’t understand that the Fatima apparitions actually began in 1916, when the Angel of Peace appeared to the three children,” she explained. “It was a really powerful experience for them. The angel taught the children about eucharistic reparation, and he taught them some prayers to say in reparation for those who offend our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”
Overall, the angel delivered a “message of mercy, that if we will do what the Lord asks, we will obtain his mercy for our world,” Ernster said. She noted that the first apparition of Mary at Fatima — May 13, 1917 — came on the feast of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, thereby connecting her messages to the children with the Eucharist.
Both the rosary and the Eucharist continue to be important for Catholics today, Ernster said, as she also encouraged people to do first Saturday devotions. It is a practice the Blessed Mother called Catholics to do on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, Ernster said. It consists of going to Mass, receiving Communion, going to confession, praying the rosary and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the rosary.
“When you’ve completed five in a row, she promises to be with you at the time of your death with all the graces necessary for your salvation,” Ernster said. “We always ask people to keep going (after their first time) because this is how you’re opening up the rivers of grace that flow from Our Lady’s heart. And, she will capture those souls and bring them to the ocean of mercy, which is her Son. So, it’s a very powerful devotion.”
Although these are troubling times in the world, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the intense conflict over abortion in America, Ernster finds hope in the message of Fatima, and especially in the recent consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Pope Francis. The pope’s consecration was a follow up to a similar consecration by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984.
“I feel like the consecration Pope Francis did was so powerful because now we have the internet and things spread very quickly around the world,” Ernster said. “It’s going to bring unity, it’s going to release many, many graces for conversion. And even though we have to deal with the wars and conflicts that continue to happen, what Our Lady wants is people converted to God, because then they will have peace in their hearts, they’ll have peace in their families.”
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. May 14 and 2 p.m. May 15.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Patrick Fox, who talks about the Byrne Residence as a home for retired clergy. The show also includes a segment on Jesus and rock and roll. Five rural parishes in the archdiocese are uniting for a summer concert, and co-chair Sylvia Belford discusses the details.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
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